Call for Murder Hunt in Aberdeen Cheese Wire on Crimewatch Live

Police investigating the unsolved murder of an Aberdeen taxi driver in 1983 have launched a fresh appeal on the BBC's Crimewatch Live in the hope of a breakthrough in the case.

George “Dod” Murdoch, 58, was found dead next to his vehicle with a cheese wire garrote lying nearby.

A £50,000 reward has been offered in the hope of helping to finally find the killer.

The police are in the process of making contact with people Possible familial connections to DNA found at the crime scene. Det Insp James Callander told Crimewatch Live that they were more confident than ever that they could solve the case.

Mr Murdoch was collecting a fare in Aberdeen's West End on the evening of September 29, 1983.

He told his control room that he was headed to Culter, but he never reached his destination.

About two miles into the fateful journey, Mr Murdoch turned onto Pitfodels Station Road on the outskirts of the town, where he was murdered.

Two cyclists saw him being attacked and raised the alarm, but by the time police arrived it was too late.

His widow Jessie – who died in 2004 – was worried about his safety, but he had told her he would never try to resist a robbery.

His money and wallet were stolen in the attack, but it is unknown if this was the motive.

A full investigation was launched, but the murderer was never caught.

Thanks to advances in analytical techniques, forensic scientists previously managed to create a male DNA profile from crime scene material.

Last week, police said they would try to contact people from an initial list of 200 possible genetic matches to establish a familial link to a profile from the crime scene.

With the help of the National Crime Agency, a so-called “familial DNA” list was created.

The search for familial DNA is based on the principle that DNA is inherited and all members of a family share certain aspects of their DNA.

The 200 people are not being treated as suspects.

Officials have now begun contacting people on the new DNA list.

Det Insp Callander told Crimewatch Live: “We are more confident than ever that we can bring this case to a successful conclusion, but we need the public’s help.”

“We are currently in the process of contacting all of these individuals to determine whether there is a family connection.

“Cases like this are never closed.”

He said neither the police nor the family ever gave up hope for justice.

Alex McKay, George Murdoch's nephew, said the murder was “brutal” and described the perpetrator as a “callous” person.

The free Crimewatch Live number is 08000 468 999. You can also email [email protected] or text 63399 – write the word CRIME with a space and then your message.

Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 or by email via a dedicated inbox at [email protected]